Ray Conger was one of the most prolific milers in the United States in the 1920s, capturing the 1927 NCAA title in the mile run and the conference mile crowns from 1925-27. The miler led the Cyclones to seven conference team titles and ran on 19 conference-winning relay teams. Conger added a conference championship at 880 yards in 1926.

Conger earned a place on the 1928 Olympic team, representing the United States in the 1,500-meter run in Amsterdam. He held the world record at 1,000 yards and the U.S. mark in the 1,500-meter run. Conger compiled a two-year unbeaten streak in the mile from 1929-30. He won three National AAU mile championships and three more U.S. crowns at 1,000 yards.